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206 BCE
Liu Bang conquers Qin dynasty
Liu Bang leads rebellion to overthrow the Qin dynasty. After winning many battles, he takes Xianyang, the capital and ends the Qin rule. After creating the Han dynasty, he renames himself Emperor Gaozu -
202 BCE
Emperor Gaouzu establishes a new capital
After deafeating the final rebellion against himself, Emperor Gaouzu establishes a new capital, Chang'an, making it well located at the convergence of all major roads -
195 BCE
The empire goes into internal conflict as Emperor Gaouzu dies
After his death, his empress takes measures to take the empire in her own family. Conflicts lasted 15 years -
180 BCE
Emperor Wen reestablishes control over the empire
After years of fighting, Emperor Wen, one of Liu Bangs remaining sons, takes over the empire. He and his fa ily kill every member of the Lü Zhi clan for their rebellion. He lightens taxes and promotes development of the empire. -
141 BCE
Emperor Wu joins Confucianism
Emperor Wu abandons Legalism and joins Confucianism. He then had a strong influence on his advisers about the connection to heaven -
138 BCE
Zhang Qian opens the Silk Road to the west
As an envoy of Emperor Wudi, Zhang Qian begins several expeditions to Central Asia. He makes contact with Hellenistic people, opening up the Silk Road. -
117 BCE
Extending the Great Wall
The Han emperors extend the western section of the Great Wall of china to repair damage and to protect the places inside the wall. -
109 BCE
Conquer Tien
Leaders of the Chinese Han empire conquer the kingdom of Tien -
108 BCE
Wiman Joseon Is conquered
The Han dynasty conquers Wiman Joseon, a important part in Korean history. -
104 BCE
War of the heavenly horses
Emperor Wu of Han recieved reports of tall and powerful horses in possession of the Dayuan, which were important to fight the nomad Xiongnu -
101 BCE
Emperor Wudi extends Chinese empire
After plea to of military campaigns, emperor Wudi adds a huge amount of land to the Chinese emperor including southern China, central Vietnam, and north and central Korea. -
2
A large census revealed a big population
The Han record the population of people in their empire, revealing 250000 people living in the capital of Chang'an. This is the oldest surviving large scale census -
8
Wang Mang establishes unsuccessful Xin dynasty
Wang Mang becomes emperor of western Han and and changes the name to Xin. He is eventually overthrown by peasant revolts. -
23
Liu Xiu overthrows Wang Mang and reestablishes the Han Dynasty
Liu Xiu, a descendant of Liu Bang was a part of the rebellion against the Xin. After overthrowing Wang Manhs army, he reestablishes Han dynasty and this becomes eastern Han period -
91
Sima Qian finishes writing the Shiji
Sima Qian, an astrologer for emperor Wudi finishes writing records of the history of China. He calls it Shiji, 'records of the grand historian'. -
105
Cai Lin invents paper
Cai Lin, a eunuch invents a method to make paper. It was dipping a screen in a pulp of rice, straw and tree bark, and then pressing and drying it. In Han times, paper was used to wrap fish not write -
148
Missionary An Shigao attracts followers to Buddhism
A Buddhist missionary, An Shiago goes to the capital of Luoyang where he translates Indian texts and attracts many new Buddhist followers -
184
Yellow turban rebellion threatens capital
Years of weak rule in the government, a peasant rebellion begins, called the yellow turbans. It threatens the capital, but the Hans get rid of the rebellion. -
190
Dong Zhou seizes control of Luoyang
Dong Zhou, a warlord gets control of Luoyang and puts Liu Xie as the new ruler. Liu Xie was a part of the Han dynasty, but Dong Zhou had all the power. -
220
Liu Xie abdicates and ends the Han dynasty
The empire weakens as battle go on, and Liu Xie abdicates and for 350 years China's warlords fight for power, leaving the country split.
